Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Scotiabank Nuit Blanche

#2 Art & Design EventLast year, Scotiabank Nuit Blanche took over the city with 130 all-night art installations, including one that had guests soaring over Nathan Phillips Square from one zipline to another. Next: September 29, 2012

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Doors Open Toronto

#4 Art & Design Event (up from #5)In 2012, Doors Open Toronto had more than 135 historic and architecturally significant buildings open for tours and attracted new sponsors CityTV and Omni. Next: May 25-26, 2013

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival

#1 Festival & ParadeCelebrating its 45th anniversary, this year's Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival expects to draw more than a million people to the parade, which caps off a three-week festival. Next: July 20-August 12, 2012

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Cavalcade of Lights

#9 Festival & ParadeA 45-year tradition, Cavalcade of Lights will kick off the holiday season with a concert from Jarvis Church and Kellylee Evans, a skating party, and the lighting of the city Christmas tree. Next: November 17, 2012

Photo: Courtesy of City of Toronto

Top 100

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

New Year’s Eve in Nathan Phillips Square

#10 Festival & ParadeIn front of 40,000 people and more than 5 million television viewers, New Year’s Eve in Nathan Phillips Square, hosted by CityTV, rang in 2012 with performances from Howie D. and Karl Wolf. Next: December 31, 2012

Top 100

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Woofstock

#11 Festival & Parade (new to the list)The largest festival for dogs and dog owners in North America, Woofstock attracts 300,000 guests and countless canines, and organizers are considering taking the event to the U.S. Next: June 8-9, 2013

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association Show

#4 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry EventWith more than 1,200 exhibitors and 12,000 professionals filling the Direct Energy Centre, Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association Show is the largest food service industry event of the year. Next: March 3-5, 2013

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Toronto Festival of Beer

#9 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event (up from #12)Every summer, the Toronto Festival of Beer has brew-enthusiasts flocking to Bandshell Park, annually setting new attendance records. This year, the festival sold out of its exhibitor booths six months in advance and doubled the sponsors for the 2012 show. Next: summer 2013

Photo: Courtesy of Toronto Festival of Beer

Top 100

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Chef’s Challenge

#10 Food, Wine & Hospitality Industry Event (new to the list)Hosted by Bobby Flay this year, Chef’s Challenge raised $1.2 million and moved to a larger venue, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, in just its second year. Next: November 2012

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Bessie Awards

#2 Advertising & Marketing EventThe BC Diary Foundation campaign was named Best of Show at the 2011 Bessie Awards, which added new craft film categories to the program this year. Next: September 27, 2012

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Canadian Media Directors’ Council Annual Conference

#10 Advertising & Marketing EventThe 2012 Canadian Media Directors’ Council Annual Conference underwent some big changes, including splashy sponsor activations, a V.I.P. reception, and a new home at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. Next: April 2013

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

RBC Canadian Open

#2 Sports EventThis year marked the 108th anniversary of the RBC Canadian Open, the second-oldest stop on the P.G.A. tour, and brought 156 players to Hamilton Golf and Country Club. Next: July 22-28, 2013

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

#6 Sports EventThe city's only fall marathon, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon brought Brooks Running on as a new major partner this year and hopes to draw a record 25,000 runners. Next: October 14, 2012

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

International Festival of Authors

#2 Media & Literary EventThis fall, the International Festival of Authors will have 190 authors and publishing professionals lead 11 days of readings, interviews, and lectures. Next: October 18-28, 2012

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Word on the Street Festival

#6 Media & Literary Event (up from #8)The largest book and magazine festival in Canada, the Word on the Street Festival hopes to attract some 218,000 attendees and plans to close surrounding streets at Queen’s Park this year to accommodate even more guests and programming. Next: September 23, 2012

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Canadian Journalists for Free Expression Gala, A Night to Honour Courageous Reporting

#8 Media & Literary EventIn 2011, the C.J.F.E. Gala, A Night to Honour Courageous Reporting awarded international journalists for their commitment to freedom of expression and new sponsor Henry’s added a Canadian photography exhibition documenting the Arab Spring. Next: December 5, 2012

Photo: Saman Aghvami

Top 100

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Toronto International Film Festival

#1 Entertainment Industry EventLast fall, the Toronto International Film Festival took the city by storm, screening more than 300 films—and hosting what felt like just as many parties—over 11 days. Next: September 6-16, 2012

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

TIFF Kids International Film Festival

#9 Entertainment Industry EventIn 2012, the TIFF Kids International Film Festival debuted under its new moniker and included screenings, workshops, activities, and an interactive playground for kids aged 3 to 13. Next: April 2013

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

P&G Beauty and Grooming Awards

#3 Fashion Industry EventIn 2011, the P&G Beauty and Grooming Awards had a record 230 submissions, honouring the best in the fashion and beauty industry at a ceremony hosted by Kim Cattrall. Next: fall 2012

Top 100

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Mode Accessories Show

#4 Fashion Industry EventThe industry-only show dedicated to women’s accessories, the Mode Accessories Show has products from more than 600 lines on display three times a year. Next: August 12-14 and October 14-16, 2012; January 2013

Photo: Courtesy of Alice Chee/Mode Accessories

Top 100

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

The Shows

#5 Fashion Industry EventLaunched in 2010 as an off-site, invite-only runway show on the heels of Fashion Week, The Shows, in just its third season, signed major sponsor P&G Beauty and Grooming and had supermodel Coco Rocha hosting. Next: fall 2012

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Canadian International Auto Show

#2 Trade Show & ConventionIn 2012, the Canadian International Auto Show had a record 316,751 guests in attendance and filled the Metro Toronto Convention Centre with the newest production vehicles and concept cars. Next: February 15-24, 2013

Photo: Courtesy of Canadian International Auto Show

Top 100

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

National Home Show

#3 Trade Show & ConventionThis year's National Home Show co-located with Canada Blooms, creating the largest home and garden event in North America and attracting a crowd of more than 200,000 guests. Next: March 15-24, 2013

Photo: Shaun Mitchell Photography

Top 100

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

#4 Trade Show & ConventionA horse show, rodeo, and the agriculture competition, the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair saw just under 300,000 guests flock to Exhibition Place last year. In 2012 the fair will celebrate its 90th year. Next: November 2-11, 2012

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Toronto International Boat Show

#7 Trade Show & ConventionThis year, after pushing the date back one week after the holidays, the Toronto International Boat Show saw attendance rise 5 percent, drawing 76,253 guests. Next: January 12-20, 2013

Photo: Carla Warrilow/BizBash

Top 100

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Canadian Gift & Tableware Association Gift Show

#8 Trade Show & ConventionThe largest gift trade show in Canada, the Canadian Gift & Tableware Association Gift Show in Toronto takes up more than a million square feet of exhibition space twice a year. Next: August 12-15, 2012; January 27-31, 2013

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

One of a Kind Show and Sale

#12 Trade Show & ConventionSome 450 artisans displayed hand-made wares at the spring show and the One of a Kind Show and Sale plans to have 800 participants at the Christmas show this year. Next: November 22-December 2, 2012

Photo: Courtesy of One of a Kind Show & Sale

Top 100

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health's Bell Event

#1 Benefit (up from #2)Formerly known as the Bell Ball, the Bell Event scrapped the celebrity angle last year and went with a brand-driven, conceptual theme to represent the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s cause, raising $1.2 million in the process. Next: October 11, 2012

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Villa Charities Foundation’s Venetian Ball

#6 BenefitLast year, the Villa Charities Foundation’s Venetian Ball celebrated the 40th year of the charity and the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, raising $1.25 million. Next: October 13, 2012

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Children’s Aid Foundation Teddy Bear Affair

#13 Benefit (up from #15)Decking the Metro Toronto Convention Centre with decor inspired by the four seasons, the Children’s Aid Foundation Teddy Bear Affair raised $1.5 million for its 25th anniversary in 2011. Next: November 10, 2012

Photo: Nick Turchiaro Photography

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Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Reach for the Rainbow’s Crystal Ball

#14 Benefit (up from #17)This year, Reach for the Rainbow’s Crystal Ball returns to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre after raising $1.1 million and doubling its sponsor support in 2011. Next: November 3, 2012

Photo: Kristin Foster

Top 100

Toronto's Top 100 Events 2012

Operanation

#15 Benefit (new to the list)In 2011, Operanation took a multidisciplined approach—celebrating artistic inspiration with fashion installations, art, and live entertainment—and raised $100,000 for the Canadian Opera Company. Next: October 18, 2012

From Thom Browne's mirrored box and John Varvatos's umbrella-covered ceiling to Cadillac's pop-up photo studio, the Council of Fashion Designers of America's new event brought inspiring ideas to New York.